REAR HATCH....bad design?

[Reefrf]

Just curious. Is there a way to open or release the hatch while sitting in the car with the keyfob? Why is there no release button inside the car for the hatch to open?

I find it very strange that when I'm dropping off my son for school that I have to get out of the car & release the hatch so my he can get his backpack. Or when I'm dropping someone off at the airport the same thing happens. Am I missing something here?

[Tasman]

I also found that as a design flaw. My old G35 had a button that released the rear trunk from the inside and on the key flop but was surprised that the EX does not have that. I do not need a power assisted door device but something as simple as to release the trunk would be nice so you do not have to reach under to manually release the trunk would have been nice. That was one step backwards IMHO.

[mikemax99]

Well this is a hatchback not a sedan and all the hatchback i've had work like this. For me the ex is good because you just need to push the release button compare to others with a release handle that become frozen when you drive in the snow. I think the pkg would be better with an electric liftgate but the standard equipement in the ex is kind of complete for the price. For me the major downpoint is using the rubber mat in the trunk that make the door hard to close if the carpet move.

[Reefrf]

Well this is a hatchback not a sedan and all the hatchback i've had work like this. For me the ex is good because you just need to push the release button compare to others with a release handle that become frozen when you drive in the snow. I think the pkg would be better with an electric liftgate but the standard equipement in the ex is kind of complete for the price. For me the major downpoint is using the rubber mat in the trunk that make the door hard to close if the carpet move.

I really don't need an automatic lift gate, it's pretty easy to open. But it seems to me regardless of whether its a hatchback or a sedan, the concept & the need would be the same. There are many situations where you would want to pop open the hatch for someone outside your car getting something out or putting something in. Seems like a silly oversight to me. But I STILL love the car!!

[EXceptional]

Seems like a silly oversight to me. But I STILL love the car!!

I agree...

I always wondered why the NISSAN Murano got a Power Lift-gate, but not the EX35.

As mentioned before, The Hatch is fairly light and easy to open from the outside.

It's bad enough that for some people, the Struts can't even keep the Hatch open in the Winter-time.

A Remote Opener, either via a Switch on the Console, or at least being able to use the Key Fob is no-brainer. Lets do it, Infiniti !

[TomT]

I don't know. I've had many SUV/hatchbacks over the years and don't remember any of them having a remote opener.

[EXceptional]

Besides the Murano, the Buick Enclave also has a Power Liftgate.

They're out there, maybe you just didn't buy any of them?

[Tasman]

I'm not sure why the topic of remote operated hatch/trunk as being an issue of the vehicle is a sedan/coupe, SUV or hatchback. The same principle applies to all vehicles. The back end that carries the storage should have an interior opener to address the issues raised by the OP and others. Now, I can understand why a sedan/coupe or a hatchback does not have a power liftgate but a simple thing like a remote hatch release is cheap. Granted, it did not work as well as I would have liked on the G35 as I still had to dig my fingers under it to lift it and not use the spoiler, but still....

[alloveru]

not really a bad design... I had an 09 Murano with a power lift gate. Great feature and all, but when it comes down to it, it gets a bit annoying, especially when the motor for the lift gate takes up a fair bit of room on the back ceiling. Something the EX can't afford to give up as is.

[Tasman]

Bad design is not having a remote release and but not a power lift gate. I would be annoyed by the slowness of the hatch opening from what I have seen in other vehicles. The EX hatch is not heavy but waiting for a motor to lift it would get on my nerves.

[EibachMBZ]

If someone need to get something from the hatch, they can use their "HANDS" to open it...
There is no need for someone to open the hatch for them from the inside...

We had a Honda CRV, Impreza WRX Wagon, and now with EX35 and FX35. There are no interior hatch release for any of these cars.
This about it, its safer this way. What if you accidently open the hatch while driving? Unlike trunk for a sedan, things will fall out from the huge opening of rear hatch.

[EXceptional]

The OP was referring to their "little Johnny"...

I find it very strange that when I'm dropping off my son for school that I have to get out of the car & release the hatch so my he can get his backpack. Or when I'm dropping someone off at the airport the same thing happens. Am I missing something here?

Maybe "little Johnny" can't open the Hatch and the Parents don't want to get out of the Car to push the Button and lift the Hatch!

[Reefrf]

If someone need to get something from the hatch, they can use their "HANDS" to open it...
There is no need for someone to open the hatch for them from the inside...

We had a Honda CRV, Impreza WRX Wagon, and now with EX35 and FX35. There are no interior hatch release for any of these cars.
This about it, its safer this way. What if you accidently open the hatch while driving? Unlike trunk for a sedan, things will fall out from the huge opening of rear hatch.

Well....you should read my post at the top, as I mentioned, there are several situations (I've already expressed) where you would want to give someone else access to open your hatch while you're in the car. Simple safety features like a hatch not opening while the car is moving or out of park does exist. So your concern of things falling out of the back end of the car if you accidentally pushed the button is not very realistic.

[TomT]

Besides the Murano, the Buick Enclave also has a Power Liftgate.

They're out there, maybe you just didn't buy any of them?

I didn't nor would I have ever wanted one.

[Avalanche325]

Why would you need a release, when the gate simply has a pushbutton? You do have a button to unlock the gate right on your armrest. I have seen several of the lift gates, they look painfully slow. It is a really small gate, so there is not much weight to it.

[Reefrf]

Why would you need a release, when the gate simply has a pushbutton? You do have a button to unlock the gate right on your armrest. I have seen several of the lift gates, they look painfully slow. It is a really small gate, so there is not much weight to it.

Please see my post at the top. I've listed some reasons why a release button for the hatch would be helpful. I personally don't have a need for an automatic hatch.

[Tasman]

Reefrf: When you unlock the doors for the passengers (your kids) to get out of the car, the latch will also unlock. They only need to touch the button under the latch release at the back to open the latch. You do not need to get out to unlock it. I do agree with you 100% that a latch release would be a cheap and welcomed feature and without a power lift. The weight and effort on raising the hatch on the EX is not an issue.

There is no safety concern with a hatch release and anyone who has had one knows that the hatch does not fly open, only enough for someone to raise it. I am a bit amused that people have commented so much about such a simple issue and defended why one was not provided.

[Reefrf]

Reefrf: When you unlock the doors for the passengers (your kids) to get out of the car, the latch will also unlock. They only need to touch the button under the latch release at the back to open the latch. You do not need to get out to unlock it. I do agree with you 100% that a latch release would be a cheap and welcomed feature and without a power lift. The weight and effort on raising the hatch on the EX is not an issue.

There is no safety concern with a hatch release and anyone who has had one knows that the hatch does not fly open, only enough for someone to raise it. I am a bit amused that people have commented so much about such a simple issue and defended why one was not provided.

Tasman.....THANK YOU!!! LOL.. I appreciate your help. Apparently I wasn't the only one that didn't know this
One thing to note, I'm not sure why but the button underneath is the one that opens the hatch but not the chrome one facing out.

[blfstyk]

One thing to note, I'm not sure why but the button underneath is the one that opens the hatch but not the chrome one facing out.

The chrome one facing out locks and unlocks the hatch. The one underneath will also unlock the hatch with the smart key nearby but it won't lock it. You can use the one facing out to lock the hatch and all the doors without taking the smart key from your pocket or purse. It works like the buttons on the front door handles.

[Avalanche325]

Why would you need a release, when the gate simply has a pushbutton? You do have a button to unlock the gate right on your armrest. I have seen several of the lift gates, they look painfully slow. It is a really small gate, so there is not much weight to it.

Please see my post at the top. I've listed some reasons why a release button for the hatch would be helpful. I personally don't have a need for an automatic hatch.

Your first post says that you have to get out of the car to release the rear hatch. If you hit the unlock button first, all your child has to do is touch the release button. The one under where the license plate is, not the lock request (chrome) button. If you don't hit the unlock button the hatch does stay locked. So please give that a try. I think you will find that the design is fine, and that you don't have to get out of the car. I just went out and played with mine and it worked fine.

Interior releases are in some other cars because you actually would need the key to open the hatch or trunk.